Voting machine



No. s22,|9s. Patented Mar. 28,; I899.

J H. DEAN. VOTING MACHINE.

A licm'on filed Dec. 31, 1897.)

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Nu. 622,!93. Patented Mar. 28, I899.

J. H. DEAN. VOTING MACHINE.

(Application med Dec, 31, 1897.)

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No. 922,193. Patented Mar. 23, I899.

.1. H. DEAN.

VOTING MACHINE.

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* c. PEYCRS c0, PnoToMTum. WAaNINbTOVL n ma mans UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

I JAMES ll. DEAN, OF ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA, ASSIGNOR TO ROSCOE F.

IIERSEY AND GEORGE E. FINCII, OF SAME PLACE.

VOTING-MACHINE;

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 622,193, dated March 28, 1899. Applioationfilel December 31 1897. Serial No. 665,110. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES H. DEAN, a resident of St. Paul, in the county of Ramseyand.

State of Minnesota,have invented certain new and useful Improvements inVoting-Machines,

of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to double voting-machines; and the objects of the invention are to provide a voting-machine adapted to be operated upon by two voters at a time; to arrange two booths with a single machine for use by two voters at a time; to provide a sin.- gle counting mechanism capable of receiving impulses from two voters at the same time and recording the two votes separately, and to provide a double voting-machine with means whereby the numbers of votes permitted the voters upon opposite sides thereof may be positively and accurately limited and, if desired, different combinations of votes provided for upon the opposite sets of voting devices, whereby voters of diiferent classes may be accommodated without confusion.

A peculiar object of the invention is to provide a voting mechanism wherein a single counter is employed with two actuators, one so connected therewith as to set said counter for later operation and the other so connected.

as to positively actuate the counter and both being so arranged that both may be operated 'at once and still perform their full and com- The invention consists generally in a voting-machine of the construction and arrangement of parts, all as hereinafter described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of double voting mechanism embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional view substantially on the line a; a: of Fig. 1; Fig. 3, thesame on the line 3/ y; Fig. 4, the same on the line 2 Fig. 5 is a plan view taken from Fig. 1.

In the drawings, 2 and 3 represent the front and rear walls of the votingunachine. The

construction that I prefer comprises three parallel shafts 4, 5, and 6, mounted in suitable bearings, (not shown,) and the parts thereon, as follows: Only two counters and two sets of actuators are shown, these being suflicient to illustrate the invention. Any kind of counter or register maybe used. As here shown each counter comprises two or more wheels 7, arranged on a sleeve 8, revoluble on the shaft'G. A locking-wheel 8 is preferably provided on each and is engaged- .by a locking-pawl 9.

Any transfer mechanism 10 may be employed between the parts of each counter. The units-wheel of each of the counters shown .is fast to the sleeve, as is also a ratchet-wheel 11. Evidently the shaft 6 may move independently of the counting wheels. Adjacent to each counter is a ratchetwheel 12, secured to the shaft 6. The teeth thereof extend oppositely to the teeth of the counter ratchet-wheel 11. For each device I provide two pawl-holders 14 and 15, both journaled about the shaft 6. The pawl-holder 15 carries a pawl 16, engaged with the ratchet 11. The pawl-holder 14 carries a pawl 17, en gaged with the ratchet 12 on the shaft 6, and this holder 14 also carries another pawl 18, which, like the pawl 16 on the other holder, engages the ratchet-wheel 11. Preferably in connection with the shaft 6 is a limiting device of any suitable design, adapted to prevent more than a given number of rotative steps of the shaft 6 and thence limit thenumber of votes. This device preferably con sists in intermeshed gear-wheels 19 and 20, and there is preferably a ratchet-clutch 21, through which the movement of the shaft 6 is communicated to the gear, while said gears may be rotated independently of the shaft 6 to reset the gears or limiting device. The limiting device is completed by a fixed pin 22 on a normally stationary shaft 23, cooperating with two pins or shoulders 24 24C on the gear 20 to engage the pin on the shaft 23 after a given movement of the gear 20, and thus lock the shaft 6 against rotation. A similar limiting device is provided upon the end of the shaft 5. The limiting devices are preferably at opposite ends of the mechanism for convenience in the construction of the complete machine. Adjacent to each counterl arrange a ratchetwheel 25 on the shaft 5 and near it provide a pawl-holder 26, journaled on the shaft 5 and carrying a pawl 26', that engages the ratchet 25.

27 and 28 represent two actuators belonging to a single counter and operable from opposite sides or faces of the machine. Any suitable interlocking device may be provided between the actuators of the complete voting-machine to prevent the operation of more than one at a time upon each side of the machine. The actuator 27 is pivotally connected with the lower ends of the pawlcarrier ll. The actuator 28 is pivotally c011- nected with the pawl-carrier 15 on shaft 6 and also with the pawl-carrier 26 on shaft 5. lVhen the actuator 27 is pushed in, therefore, the pawl 17 on the carrier it will be thrown to positively rotate the shaft 11 one step. Said shaft (5 will then be locked against further movement by its limiting device unless the mechanism herein shown should constitute a part of a multieandidate mechanism, in which case both of the shafts 5 and 6 would be allowed other steps. In like manneradditional counters would be provided for additional parties and where the multicandidate groups exceeded two in number of candidates to be elected. Further, as the actuator 27 is pushed in the pawl 18 on the carrier 14: will be drawn back over the teeth of the ratchet 11 belonging to the counter, and as there is nothing to draw out the actuator after it has been pushed in by the voter the pawl will remain at rest in a new notch of said ratchet 11, ready to be operated by the positive return of the actuator 27 and the carrier 14. Now 011 the opposite side of the machine when the actuator 28 is pushed in the limiting-shaft 5 will, through the carrier 26 and the pawl 26', be rotated one step, and at the same time the carrier 15, with its pawl 10, will be thrown down to positively rotate the ratchet-wheel 11 and the units-wheel of the counter connected therewith. This positive rotation of the ratchet-wheel 11 does not interfere with the relation between said wheel and its other operating-pawl 18, as at this time the wheel 11 simply moves beneath said pawl 18, which retains its position according to its own holder and actuator. Both of the actuators 27 28, or either thereof, when pushed in are adapted to remain in such position until positively forced out.

For returning the actuators and for locking the counter-wheels through the medium of the locking parts 9 the suitably-operated rocking shaft l is provided with the arms or segments 29, one for each counting mechanism, and adapted to engage the ends 27 and 28 of the actuators 27 and 2S belonging to the different counters. lVhen the arms 29 are rocked into the position shown in the drawings, the actuators will be positively and forcibly returned to their outer positions and will be locked in such positions. The return of the actuator 27 shifts or rotates the carrier 1%,and thereby moves the counter forward one step. The pushing in of the actuator 28 and the drawing out of the actuator 27 can never take place at the same time, and any other operation of said actuators will impart two distinct movements to the counter and record two votes. On the shaftt are the locking bails or bars 30, which after the return of the actuators engage the pawls El, and thus positively lock the counters against rotation in either direction by any means. After the locking of the parts or at the same time, the operating means-alevcr, booth-door,or turnstile, (not shown)-actuates the shafts and 23 of the two limiting devices to move the pins thereon forward into engagement with the forward pins of the locking or limiting gears 20 20.

The mechanisms herein shown will be multiplied to any extent required to constitute a complete voting-machine to represent a large number of candidates and several parties.

Obviously separate returning devices may be provided in connection with the opposite actuators for operation by separate boothdoors, and, further, without departing from the spirit of the invention various modifications may be made in the constructions herein shown and suggested, and I do not confine or limit my invention to the devices herein described.

Having thus described my invention, I

claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. A double voting machine, having a counter in combination with counter-actuating devices upon opposite sides or faces of said machine, and said actuating devices being simultaneously and separately operable by voters simultaneously acting upon opposite sides of the machine, substantially as described.

2. In a double voting-machine, the combination, of a series of counters, with simultaneously and separately operable actuators for each counter, whereby two voters may register their votes at the same or substan tially the same time, and a limiting mechanism provided in connection with said counters preventing more than a limited number of successive operations thereof by either of and both said voters, substantially as described.

3. The combination, in a double voting-machine, of a counter with counter-actuators that are simultaneously and separately oper ated by two voters to register two votes at substantially the same time upon the same counter, and a limiting mechanism provided in connection with each actuator, substantially as described.

at. In a double voting-machine, the combi nation of a counter with two actuators, by

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and means preventing the operation of both.

actuators by the same voter, substantially as described.

5. In a double voting-machine, the combination with a single counter, of two actuators therefor, a casing or frame inelosing such parts, and through different and relativelyconcealed sides of which said actuators are operable, and the limiting mechanism in connection with said actuators, preventing more than one operation of either thereof by one voter, substantially as described.

6. In a double voting-machine, the combination of a series of counters with two individual actuators for each, the frame or casing inclosing such parts and through different relatively-concealed sides of which the two actuators of each counter are operable, and a limiting mechanism in connection with said actuators preventing more than one op eration of either thereof by one voter and preventing the operation of more than a certain number of said actuators when operated one at a time by one voter, or double such number by two voters, substantially as described.

7. The combination, in a voting-machine, of the frame, or casing, with a counter therein, and counter-actuators upon opposite sides of said frame or casing operable by different voters on opposite sides of said frame to register the votes of both voters upon the same counter, substantially as described.

8. The combination, in a voting-machine, of a single counter with separately-operable actuators, by either of which single step impulses may be impartcd to said counter, a division-wall through opposite sides of which said actuators are independently operable by different voters upon opposite sides of said wall to register the vote of either or both voters upon said counter, substantially as described.

9. In a voting-machii'ie, the combination of a series of counters with two actuators for and independently operable upon each counter, and each having a distinct limiting device, limiting the number of its operations, and the number of counters that may be operated successively by the same voter, and said number being less than the whole number of counters, substantially as described.

10. A single voting-machine, from which a single record is obtainable, having two faces, one set of counters and two sets of counteractuators for operation by two simultaneous voters on opposite faces of the machine, substantially as described.

11. The combination, in a double votingmachine, of a set of counters, with two sets of independently-operable actuators, two actuators for each counter, and a limiting mech anism for each set of actuators, limiting the number thereof that may be operated successively by each voter, substantially as'described.

12. In a double voting-machine, the combination of a single counter with independent actuators for diiferent voters for operating said counter to obtain two counts upon the same, and a single positively-operated device for returning both actuators after the operation thereof, substantially as described.

13. In a double voting-machine, the combination of the single counter with two independent actuators therefor simultaneously and separately operable by simultaneous voters, and positively-operated means for returnin g or restoring said actuators si no ultaneousl y, substantially as described.

14. In a voting-machine, the combination of a single counter, with two independent actuators, one adapted to operate said counter to set the same, and the other adapted to positively actuate the counter, if required, at the same instant, and alimiting mechanism in connection with each actuator, and positively operated by the votersmovement thereof, substantially as described.

15. The combination of voting-booths,with a voting-machine arranged between them, said machine having a single counter adapted to separately count or register the simultaneous impulses or voting movements of voters in both booths, substantially as described.

16. In a voting-machine, the combination with a single counter of "two actuators, one

adapted to set the counter for later operation,

and the other adapted to positively actuate the counter if need be at same instant, substantially as described.

17. In a double voting-machine, the combination, with a single counter, of actuators connected therewith and adapted to operate said counter to separately register the simultaneous voting movements of two voters upon opposite sides of the machine or the single voting movement of either voter, and a single looking'mechanism for said actuators,'substantially as described.

18. In a double voting-machine, the combination of the single counter with two actuators, a limiting device for each actuator and a single returning and locking mechanism to engage said actuators and counters, substantially as described.

19. In a double voting-machine, the combination of a series of counters with two individual actuators for each counter, comprising together two sets of actuators, a limiting device for each set of actuators, limiting the number in each set that may be operated successively by one voter to a number less than the whole set, and a single returning and locking mechanism common to both sets of actuators, substantially as described. v

20. In a double voting-machine, the combination with a single counter of two actuators, one for each voter, one of which actuators being moved insures a single operation of said counter to register the vote of said voter, and the other being moved causes or insures a second operation thereof to also register the vote of the second voter,substantially as described.

21. The combination, in a double votingmachine, of a counter, with two counter-actuators for two voters casting their ballots at substantially the same time, said actuators being operable upon said counter to separately register two votes thereon, whether operated successively or simultaneously substantially as described.

The combination, in a double votingmachine, of a series of counters, with two series of actuators operable thereon from opposite sides of the machine, alimiting mechanism for each series of actuators limiting the number thereof that may be operated successively by one voter, said actuators being simultaneously and separately operable, and a positively operated locking and returning mechanism common to both sets of actuators, substantially as described.

23. In a double voting-machine, the combination of a suitable frame or casing, with the two limiting-shafts provided therein, two sets of actuators one upon each side or face of said machine-casing, one set of counters provided within said casing and to each of which two of said actuators are appropriated, said actuators being operative respectively upon said limiting-shafts, suitable stop means providet in connection with said limiting-shafts, anal one of saidactuators for each counter bei? g directly and the other indirectly operable thereon, substantially as described.

24. In a double voting-machine, the combination of two actuators operable on opposite sides of the machine, with the two limitingshafts, the ratchet-device couplings between said shafts and respective actuators, stop devices in connection with said shafts, the counter mounted upon one of said shafts, and having independent ratchet connections with both said actuators for movement in the same direction thereby during and after respective voting movements of said actuators, and the returning-shaft to return said actuators after the voting movements thereof, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 24th day of December, A. D. 1807.

JAMES H. DEAN.

In presence of C. G. IIAWLEY, RICHARD PAUL. 

